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Top five moments from Rafael Nadal tennis career

Rafael Nadal confirmed that the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November would be his final appearance on the tennis court after recently announcing his retirement from the sport. Although Nadal has struggled with injuries in recent years, the Spaniard has had an incredible 22-year career overall. He has won 22 Grand Slam titles, which is more than Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slams but second best to Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slams.

Over his career, the King of Clay has set a number of records and accomplished a number of milestones. The former World No. 1 is the youngest player to win a career Grand Slam and the only one with 14 French Open titles. Nadal also has two Olympic gold medals (One in singles and one in doubles) in his trophy cabinet.

In this article, let’s take a look at the top five moments from the 38-year-old’s career

Making history at the Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal created history at the Davis Cup
Rafael Nadal (Credits - Tennis.com)

At the age of 18, Rafael Nadal became the youngest person to win a singles match in the Davis Cup summit clash when he defeated Andy Roddick of the United States of America in the 2004 final. This was a home Davis Cup victory for Rafael Nadal and his Spanish side, as they beat USA 3-2 in Seville.

Most French Open titles ever

Rafael Nadal won most French Open titles ever
Rafael Nadal (Credits - Sky Sports)

Ever since his early playing days, Nadal dominated the clay courts, regardless of the tournament he played. He, however, had a particular fondness for the French Open, winning 14 Roland Garros titles—more than any other player, male or female.

He won his first title in Paris in 2005, and he continued to defend it until 2008. The 2005 French Open victory was also Nadal’s maiden Grand Slam title. Between 2010 and 2014, Rafael Nadal won five consecutive titles. Although he lost the following two years, he would go on to win back-to-back titles from 2017 to 2020. The only other player to win four straight French Open titles was the great Bjorn Borg. In 2022, Rafael Nadal won his 14th and final French Open title.

Nadal vs Federer rivalry

Nadal vs Federer rivalry
Roger Federer (Left) & Rafael Nadal (Right) (Credits - Tennis.com)

One of the most talked-about rivalries in tennis was that between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. In the 40 matches these two legends played, Nadal had a superior win-loss ratio of 24-16 against the Swiss.

At the 2004 Miami Masters, Nadal and Federer played each other for the first time. After a 70-minute match, Nadal, who was only 17 at the time, defeated Federer 6-3, 6-3.

One of the all-time memorable encounters came during the final of the 2008 Wimbledon, which several people consider the greatest tennis match to have been played. After nearly five hours of play, Nadal defeated Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), and 9-7. This was Nadal’s first Wimbledon title, and he followed it up with another Wimbledon title in 2010.

Nadal creates history with career Golden Slam

Nadal creates history with career Golden Slam
Rafael Nadal (Credits - Tennis365)

Nadal lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals after having a patchy start to the 2010 campaign. However, he went on to win both the French Open and Wimbledon titles that summer. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the final to end the year with his first US Open victory.

In 2008, Nadal won both the Wimbledon and French Open titles, along with an Olympics gold in Beijing. He added an Australian Open title in 2009 after defeating Federer in the final. The US Open was the only Grand Slam title missing from his trophy cabinet, and Nadal defeated Djokovic in 2010 to emerge victorious at Flushing Meadows. After Andre Agassi, he was the only other man to win the men's singles career Golden Slam. To add context, a career Golden Slam is when a player wins all four Grand Slams, along with an Olympic gold. 

Winning the Olympic gold in 2008

Rafael Nadal won the Olympic gold in 2008
Rafael Nadal (Credits - Tennis365)

Nadal had one of the memorable moments of his career when he won the Olympic gold medal in men’s singles in Beijing, 16 years ago. He defeated Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 as he clinched gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Together with Marc Lopez, he defeated Florian Mergia and Horia Tecau of Romania eight years later to win the gold medal in men's doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Cover Credits - Olympics.com

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